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Solutions: Getting to the root of 'smart web printing' pop-up problem Solutions:

 
Published Nov. 24, 2012

When I turn on my computer and before my Yahoo Web browser can display, I get a box that says, "Please wait while Windows configures smart web printing," with an option to cancel. When I cancel, another box says, "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable." There is an option to click OK or cancel. When I cancel, it then brings up the Yahoo browser.

Click Start, Run type MSCONFIG and click OK. Click the Startup tab. Check to see whether there is any reference to "smart web printing." If so, uncheck it, click OK and reboot. You should double-check the Control Panel Add/Remove programs for anything related to "smart web printing." I also recommend that you run some scans from your updated antivirus program, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to also run Microsoft's Windows Defender Offline. It creates a boot CD (or USB drive) that will let you boot without starting Windows and runs a virus check without allowing any potential virus to interfere. Go to http://tinyurl.com/TBT01.

In many cases you have suggested downloading MalwareBytes AntiMalware to find and eliminate viruses. In each case, you say to download it from a tinyurl site. Does this mean you should download it freshly each time to camouflage it while it does its job?

MalwareBytes AntiMalware is updated often. Even the latest downloads check upon installation for new definition files. So downloading it again over an existing installation will work the same as running and updating what you already have installed. I use the link www.tinyurl.com/2fwj868 to make it easier for readers to go directly to the download. This particular download link does generate a random name to try to hide its installation from any resident viruses. The recent versions of AntiMalware contain the Malwarebytes Chameleon. Just click the Chameleon link and it will launch the AntiMalware under various names.

I bought my first laptop, a Toshiba with Windows 7. It came with a 30 day Norton 360 trial security, which I installed. I later decided to install Microsoft Security Essentials. I deleted the Norton after I installed Security Essentials, which is contrary to the install instructions. I now get warning messages that Security Essential definitions are out of date. When I click on update definitions, it goes through the process of completing the update and, when finished, once again says the definitions are out of date. It's like a never-ending loop.

It's possible that not all components of Norton were uninstalled. Go to www.symantec.com and search for "Norton Removal Tool." It should come up first in the results. Click the link and run the tool. I would then go to https://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/default.aspx and download the full Security Essentials with up-to-date definitions.

Send questions to personaltech@tampabay.com or Personal Tech, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Questions are answered only in this column.